When looking for care for your aging loved ones, there are many options to choose from and many considerations to think through. But the biggest factor is what’s best for your senior. Before you begin, it’s important to understand the different care levels and what each provides:
1.Independent living – Independent living is the lowest care level from a medical and assistive standpoint because it is all about allowing seniors to maintain full autonomy. Independent living homes can be apartments, condos, or houses designed just for seniors. That may mean few stairs, handrails in bathrooms, and caretaking like lawn care and cleaning services. The best thing about independent living is that it creates a community of others in the same stage of life as your loved one. They’ll have neighbors, opportunities for social gatherings, and a built-in community to keep them active.
2.Assisted living – If your loved one is mostly independent but may need help from time-to-time, assisted living is a great choice for them. Assisted living locations have staff available 24/7 in the event that your senior could use assistance. They may have minimal everyday support like medication management or laundry service, but they still allow residents to have a great deal of independence. Along with medical assistance, many assisted living campuses have scheduled programs like cooking classes or book clubs, fitness courses, and outdoor activities to keep residents mentally and physically active.
3.Skilled nursing – The highest level of care for your loved one is skilled nursing. Residents in skilled nursing homes generally have significant health issues requiring constant care. In a skilled nursing location, everything is taken care of. That could mean mobility issues that require lifting in and out of bed or consistent medical attention. All meals are provided and adjusted for each senior’s dietary needs. Skilled nursing is often the home of medical rehab services and recovery from events like joint replacement or major surgery.
When it comes to caring for your loved one, another determining factor can be your own availability. Is it possible for them to move in with your family? Can they stay at their home with a minimum of assistance, like picking up groceries or taking them to appointments? Would you also need to hire in-home medical assistance? And if they did stay home, would they have the mental and physical activities to keep them engaged and healthy? And maybe most importantly, would they have a community around them?
If we’ve learned nothing else through the pandemic and accompanying quarantine, it’s the importance of community for all people. Senior isolation has always been a concern. Without groups to spend time and share interests with, both mental and physical health decline at a faster rate.
Evergreen Senior Living in Champaign is so proud of the assisted living community we’ve built. Our residents have a multitude of activities to choose from and can be as active as they want to be. And while our seniors are incredibly independent, our caring and compassionate staff is available 24/7 should any needs arise. Contact us today to learn more about the people, activities, and care that make us who we are. Call (217) 530-4300 or visit us online at evergreenslc.com/champaign.
